UK Court Dismisses Pfizer and BioNTech's Appeal in COVID-19 Patent Dispute

In a significant legal development, Pfizer and BioNTech faced a setback as the UK Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision in their ongoing patent dispute with Moderna over their COVID-19 vaccine technologies. The court's decision reaffirmed that one of Moderna’s European patents was invalid, while confirming that Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine infringed on a second patent held by Moderna. The appeal’s rejection means that the initial ruling from July 2024 remains firm, with the court stating that no legal errors were found in the original verdict. Pfizer announced its intention to escalate the matter by appealing to the Supreme Court of Britain. Despite the ruling, Pfizer insists that the patent in question is invalid and maintains that the decision has no immediate effect on their operations.

The case has broad implications for the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the context of patent rights related to mRNA technology. Moderna expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing its commitment to defending its patents globally. The legal battles between these major firms have involved significant sums, with reports stating that about £19 million ($25 million) has been spent on legal costs in the UK alone.

This patent dispute comes at a pivotal time for mRNA technology, which gained prominence with Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine— the first mRNA vaccine approved for widespread use, marking a breakthrough in vaccine technology. Experts believe that the flexibility and rapid development potential of mRNA vaccines could revolutionize the fight against various diseases. However, patent conflicts like this highlight ongoing challenges within the industry regarding intellectual property rights and innovation.

Additionally, German courts have previously found Pfizer and BioNTech guilty of patent infringement related to Moderna’s patents, requiring them to pay compensation and estimate profits from the alleged violations. The ongoing legal disputes reflect the complex landscape of biotech patents that will likely influence future vaccine development and licensing strategies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-pfizer-biontech-uk-court-appeal.html